Pixar Fest Guide at Disneyland

 

Disney Travel News

10 Things You Need to Know About Pixar Fest at Disneyland

By: Disney Destinations

March 13, 2024

Beloved characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studios are about to come to life in a whole new way when Pixar Fest returns to Disneyland Resort from April 26-Aug. 4, 2024! Pixar Fest is a celebration of friendship and beyond and will feature many all-new offerings, plus some returning favorites with special new enhancements!

Read on for the full guide to Pixar Fest, with everything you need to know about the exciting things coming from entertainment to merchandise to décor ... and more!

1. New ‘Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!’ Parade at Disney California Adventure Park

Dynamic and colorful floats will make their way through Disney California Adventure Park twice per day in the new “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade from Disney Live Entertainment, with high-energy dancing and appearances by more than two dozen Pixar characters. Guests will spot Red Panda Mei and her friends rocking out to their favorite boy band, 4*Town; Joe Gardner and 22 from “Soul” celebrating the sweeter things in life; Luca, Alberto and Giulia from “Luca” enjoying their time together on the water’s edge in Portorosso; and more. The grand finale will feature Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl from “The Incredibles,” Miguel from “Coco,” Mike and Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.,” and Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story.”

2. ‘Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular’ at Disneyland Park

“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” will return to Disneyland Park with some all-new scenes from the creative teams at Disney Live Entertainment and Pixar. Celebrating the heart of Pixar storytelling, this nighttime spectacular will take guests on an emotional journey of friendship with Pixar pals as they meet for the first time, set out on adventures, overcome adversity and in the end, forge everlasting bonds. In addition to iconic moments from the original production — like Miguel strumming his guitar and Carl and Ellie’s house floating above Sleeping Beauty Castle — guests will also see new scenes added featuring characters and moments from Pixar’s “Onward,” “Soul,” “Luca,” “Turning Red” and “Elemental” brought to life like never before.

Vivid projections, colorful lasers and memorable music can be enjoyed from multiple locations throughout Disneyland, including the Rivers of America, the façade of “it’s a small world” and Main Street, U.S.A. And on most evenings, fireworks will illuminate the sky with this beloved show. During Pixar Fest, guests can check Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app for showtime details.

Bonus: During "Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular,” all MagicBand+ will come to life with twinkling lights and vibrations synchronized to the music.

3. Club Pixar at the Hollywood Backlot in Disney California Adventure Park

During the day at the Hollywood Backlot, guests can snap a photo in front of Pixar-themed backdrops, play games and maybe even encounter a favorite character to pose with. When day turns to night, Club Pixar will take over the area for a nighttime party, inspired by the amazing stories from Pixar Animation Studios. The whole group can enjoy an interactive DJ dance party, live performances, exciting games, photo opportunities, themed food, specially crafted beverages and more.

4. Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park

Throughout the day, the whole family can dance and play the Pixar way with some favorite pals at the Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park. Get into the groove at a high-energy show, enjoy interactive games, photo locations and activities inspired by Pixar feature films, and even watch a selection of iconic shorts on the big screen.

5. Pixar-Themed Foods and Marketplaces

Foodies, get ready for Pixar-inspired food and beverages available around the resort! Though we can’t share all details on all the treats just yet, we’ve got an early look at an item to start dreaming about – the iconic Pixar Fest cake will return to Plaza Inn!

New this year, the menu at Troubadour Tavern in Disneyland Park will transform to feature Pixar-inspired bites and beverages. And once again, Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure Park will serve "Coco"-inspired menu items.

Guests will also want to mark their calendars because beginning May 10, six Pixar-themed marketplaces will join the fun in Disney California Adventure Park and be available through the length of the festival. Each location celebrates a unique film, and menu items will transport guests' taste buds right into some fan-favorite Pixar worlds. Here’s a little flavor of what to expect:

• Summertime dishes inspired by the Italian coast at Portorosso Pasta from “Luca”
• Reimagined classics at Gusteau’s To-Go, themed to “Ratatouille”
• A playful mélange of elements at The Elemental Table, inspired by “Elemental”
• Fun foods perfect for a tween, boy band (or anyone, really!) at 4*Town Fav*4*ites from “Turning Red”
• Feel-good foods that feed your soul at The Spark, inspired by “Soul”
• Flavors to appeal to all of your emotions at Hanger Management from “Inside Out.”

Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for the complete Disney Eats: Pixar Fest Foodie Guide to discover the full lineup of themed eats in the coming weeks!

6. Encounters with Pixar Characters

At various locations in both parks, guests will be able to meet many characters from Pixar stories, including friends from “Inside Out” and “The Incredibles.” You may also encounter Ember and Wade from “Elemental,” who will be making their Disneyland Resort debut for Pixar Fest!

7. Incoming Novelties

For that perfect keepsake that also satisfies the Disney snack cravings, look no further than new novelties arriving just for Pixar Fest! Guests may recognize the Pizza Planet truck from … well, almost every Pixar film, and soon they can purchase a version that doubles as a popcorn bucket! Stay tuned for more fun Pixar-themed novelties to be revealed in the upcoming Disney Eats: Pixar Fest Foodie Guide.   

8. Pixar Merchandise Throughout Disneyland Resort

If guests just can’t wait to get in the Pixar Fest spirit, we’ve got some good news! All-new merchandise collections will begin to arrive around Disneyland Resort this month, with stylish designs inspired by iconic Pixar films and characters. From Pizza Planet baseball caps to Mike Wazowski sweatshirts, items from these collections are the perfect way to get ready for a Pixar-filled summer. Plus, additional limited-time Pixar Fest merchandise will arrive in April.

Guests will also find medallions themed to each of their favorite Pixar films available for a limited time throughout Disneyland Resort. Whether they're a fan of classics like “Toy Story” and “a bug’s life” or prefer newer releases like “Lightyear” and “Elemental,” guests won’t want to miss these collectibles.

9. Festive Décor Throughout Disneyland Resort

Decorations will pop up all around Disneyland Resort, enhancing The Happiest Place on Earth with brightly-colored banners, incredible sculptures that double as must-stop photo locations and more inspired by favorite Pixar stories! In the esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, guests won’t want to miss the over 25-foot-tall sculpture celebrating friendship and highlighting the iconic Pixar Ball. And in Disney California Adventure, they'll even be able to use their MagicBand+ to interact with a Pixar-themed installation.

10. Pixar Fest at Downtown Disney District

The festivities will extend into the Downtown Disney District, with vibrant decorations throughout the shopping, dining and entertainment promenade. Guests can shop favorite merchandise collections, strike a pose in front of photo opportunities celebrating Pixar stories and when hunger strikes, enjoy Pixar-inspired menu items at select dining locations.

Disneyland Resort is the ultimate destination for Pixar fans this summer and beyond, as these limited-time offerings join an array of ways guests can celebrate Pixar year-round. From Cars Land and Pixar Pier, to attractions like Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, to eats at Angry Dogs and Alien Pizza Planet, Pixar stories are celebrated everywhere we look!

And for those who want to stay in the magic even after leaving the theme parks, Pixar Place Hotel is a great way to stay immersed! Pixar Place Hotel celebrates the artistry of Pixar Animation Studios, with nods to every feature film from the iconic animation studio. As the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States, it brings the innovative storytelling of Pixar Animation Studios to life in a whole new way, from never-before-seen artwork to unique character encounters — including Joe Gardner from “Soul” and Bing Bong from “Inside Out.”

For more information about booking a Disney Vacation contact barbara@destinationstoparadise.com

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Pixar Place Hotel Celebrates Pixar Stories at Disneyland

 

Now Open! Pixar Place Hotel Celebrates Pixar Stories at Disneyland Resort

By: Disney Destinations

January 30, 2024

Today, we’re celebrating the grand opening of Pixar Place Hotel at the Disneyland Resort, the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the United States! Inspired by the artistry and innovative storytelling of Pixar Animation Studios, the 479-room hotel is filled with nods to beloved films from “Toy Story” to “Ratatouille” and “Elemental.” In fact, there is a nod to every Pixar feature film to date!

At Pixar Place Hotel, Guests will see so many familiar Pixar friends brought to life in a whole new way, through various styles of playful artwork, contemporary decor and even surprise visits!

Special Guests & Pixar Characters Join Grand Opening Dedication

Ka-chow! Lightning McQueen, Mater and more Pixar pals made a special visit to celebrate the hotel’s opening day dedication alongside Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter.

“We are looking to turbocharge expansion at Disneyland Resort over the coming years, and the transformation of Pixar Place Hotel is a demonstration of how we’re creating high-quality guest experiences infused with our most popular stories,” said Potrock.

Docter, who is the Oscar-winning director of “Monsters, Inc.,” “Up” and “Inside Out,” spoke to the creative collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, who together bring so many favorite stories to life in Disney parks.

“At Pixar, our mission is to tell great stories. And nothing is more exciting than when we see those stories come to life in Disney parks. Pixar Place Hotel at the Disneyland Resort is the perfect example – it’s like walking into a world of Pixar. It’s truly immersive, and we’re thrilled to have collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to make such an experience possible for guests.”

And speaking of stories coming to life …

Pixar Place Hotel Welcomes New Characters

Who’s your friend who likes to play? It’s Bing Bong from “Inside Out,” making his worldwide debut, as this is the first time he is being seen at any Disney property! This part-cat, part-elephant, part-dolphin imaginary friend is greeting guests and making more core memories at Pixar Place Hotel, beginning today!

And is that … piano music? All the way from The Half Note Jazz Club, it’s Joe Gardner from “Soul!” Guests may find Joe getting lost in the music as he plays piano near the hotel lobby staircase. In this alcove, the ethereal artistry of “Soul” creates a mood with deep purple walls and drawings of jazz musicians and counselors from “The Great Before,” with Joe dropping in on occasion to play piano for passersby.

Pixar-Themed Spaces You Can Enjoy Now, Plus More Pixar Touches To Come

There are so many sights to see at Pixar Place Hotel, so let’s explore the new areas!

The iconic Pixar Ball and Lamp now welcomes guests at the front lobby entrance, with an abstract mobile of Pixar characters floating from the skylight above. Guests may even catch a glimpse of Carl and Ellie’s house from “Up” as it travels up and down the lobby elevator.

The lobby is a vibrant, colorful blend of different art galleries. Seven giant portraits of Pixar characters surround the front desk including Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.” and Merida from “Brave.” These portraits depict characters at pivotal moments in their journeys when they are discovering their world or a piece of who they are for the very first time. Nearby, guests also see maquettes of Elastigirl from “The Incredibles,” Flik from “a bug’s life” and more!

Guests may even hear new music specially composed for Pixar Place Hotel! Celebrating favorite themes from many Pixar films, 10 new arrangements of Pixar cues can be heard in the hotel lobby and the album is available now digitally to listen to!

The rear entrance of the hotel is inspired by the stages of character design development, as artists bring ideas from pencil and paper illustrations to something built in the computer. In this part of the hotel, guests will see animator thumbnail sketches and lit wireframes of Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story,” Edna Mode from “The Incredibles” and others in action poses.

Throughout the lobby and elevator cab flooring, there are 16 silhouettes of Pixar friends randomly embedded in the porcelain tiles, which is a nod to the flooring details found at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif.

Next, let’s visit Great Maple! This flagship restaurant and modern American eatery serves an all-day menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner using the highest quality seasonal ingredients. Dive into any of the amazing dishes — like Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Maple Bacon Donuts — take in the sophisticated ambiance of gorgeous green leather seating, a beautiful bar area and seamless transition to an open-air patio. The black and white portraits of Pixar characters seen throughout the space were originally created for the Pixar offices in Emeryville, Calif., and this is the first time they are being publicly displayed! What’s more, the food and beverage offerings throughout the hotel are all operated by Great Maple.

Just off the lobby, The Sketch Pad Café serves assorted pastries, sandwiches, grab-n-go items and offers a full espresso bar. It’s a great spot to stop on the way to a fun-filled day in the parks, although guests may want to sit and stay a while in this fun space. Along the café walls is a timeline of Pixar films conveyed through character design and early concept art from Buzz Lightyear, a star of the studio’s first feature film, “Toy Story,” to Mei Lee from “Turning Red.”

Now, let’s head to the third-floor rooftop deck, where Pixar touches abound! At the new Pixar Shorts Court, the whole family can play games inspired by the animation studio’s iconic shorts “Bao,” “For The Birds,” “La Luna” and “Burrow.” Guests can even lounge and enjoy a bite to eat beneath umbrellas from “The Blue Umbrella.”

Opening adjacent to the Pixar Shorts Court in early March, Small Bytes will serve up inventive floats and tasty “bytes,” such as ceviche, soft pretzels and nachos, and will be open to non-hotel guests. While guests are noshing, they can see the pixel-art style portraits of 22 Pixar characters, created expressly for Pixar Place Hotel! Spot Lightning McQueen from “Cars” and Remy from “Ratatouille.”

As the sun begins to set on a great day, cozy up by the firepits (cleverly reminiscent of some hotheaded Pixar characters), enjoy drinks and appetizers, and watch the fireworks of Disneyland Park light up the sky on select evenings.

At the pool area, hotel guests can frolic on a “Finding Nemo”-themed splash pad at Nemo’s Cove, take a ride on Crush’s Surfin’ Slide and splash in Pixel Pool. Guests may choose to rent private daybeds, cabanas and pods to lounge the day away in comfort and style.

As we make our way to the guest rooms, let’s take a peek at some of the art found along the way. Each floor of the 15-story hotel displays a mural outside of the elevator banks giving an homage to a different Pixar film, from “Finding Nemo” to “Cars.”

Now, to the guest rooms! From the headboards featuring concept art from feature films to the accent pillows with a Pixar Ball motif, there are Pixar touches to be found all around. For a more in-depth look at the guest rooms, take a look at this tour from Walt Disney Imagineering art director Kirstin Makela!

And there’s more! Pixar Place Hotel also has a fitness center where guests can see a mural of Mike and Sulley from “Monsters University” on treadmills and the STOR-E retail shop offers more unique art, Pixar apparel and toys, and Disneyland Resort souvenirs and sundries.

Later this year, the hotel will offer its new lounge, the Creators Club, to its concierge level guests. This lounge will showcase the collaboration between Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, featuring concept art, maquettes and attraction posters. See repurposed light fixtures from the former “a bug’s land” and a snake ride vehicle from Jessie’s Critter Carousel in Disney California Adventure Park. Adorable! Here, concierge level guests will be invited to enjoy snacks and beverages throughout the day, and a dedicated concierge may assist with any requests during their visit.

Additionally, two new 2-bedroom themed signature suites will be available for arrivals later in 2024. The Coco Suite will pay tribute to Miguel and his family’s legacy through vibrant Oaxacan art, and the Incredibles Suite will have a midcentury design with a “spy-fy” twist, complete with Parr family memorabilia.

Guests staying at any of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort can enjoy benefits such as hotel guest activities and early entry 30 minutes prior to regular theme park opening into a designated park to enjoy select attractions, dining and shopping locations.* Plus, guests of Pixar Place Hotel can enjoy a convenient, dedicated entrance to Disney California Adventure Park just a short walk away.